Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
“Heard on the Hill,” a new series of speakers organized by Doru Gavril ’05 and the President’s office, gets off to an exciting start on Monday when Congressman Peter Deutsch (D-Florida) ’79 speaks at Swarthmore. Congressman Deutsch’s speech will start at 7:30 in Science Center 101 and is just the first in a series of speeches by current members of Congress.
Other planned speakers include Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan) ’56, and Congressman Robert Brady (D-PA). Though Congressman Brady is not a Swarthmore alum, he represents Southern Philadelphia and Chester in the House of Representatives, and so is very familiar with concerns affecting Swarthmore students and residents. Sen. Levin will speak on November 29, and Representative Brady will come to campus in February. However, this is only a partial list; even more speakers are expected to be announced next semester.
All of the Congressmen will discuss similar themes like their motivation for going into public service, and their everyday life on Capitol Hill. But they will also discuss their individual experiences, which is important because they represent different geographic areas and serve on difference committees. Congressman Deutsch, for example, serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is the ranking member (lead Democrat) on the Oversight and Investigations Committee. The Congressman can also give a unique perspective on Florida politics since he participated in the 2004 primary for the senate seat vacated by Senator Bob Graham. Though Deutsch lost that primary to Betty Castor, he should still provide an interesting perspective on the 2004 election experience.
Doru Gavril ’05, coordinator of the event, hopes that the series will “focus on the practical insights of politics…[and] bridge the trust gap between elected officials and constituents.”